Plans to carry out the Scottish Government’s plans for free school meals for younger children hit a major snag in Argyll.
It was discovered that it would cost £500,000 to install kitchens in two remote island schools to make the free food for the Primary 1 – 3 youngsters.
Instead the parents of children at Iona and Ulva island schools will be reimbursed the £2 cost of lunches, Argyll and Bute councillors decided yesterday. There four pupils who qualify for free meals at Iona Primary and nine at Ulva.
The Scottish Government is funding the project but will not cover the cost of providing kitchens.
The council considered having lunches prepared elsewhere and transported to the schools, but this was considered impractical.
At the policy and resources committee today, Douglas Hendry, director of customer services, said: “We have found a solution which involves making payments to the families. We are aware that our colleagues in Highland are pursing that approach in respect of a number of primary schools.”
Councillor Vivien Dance said: “I thought the whole idea of this was to ensure children get a lunch that is nutritious. We all know that is because that is not always provided by the parents. I don’t see how giving the parents money is going to ensure the wee ones get a lunch.”
Mr Hendry said: “It is not ideal. But the costs of putting in proper kitchen facilities in these two schools were really much higher than you would actually think possible. What we have got is a pragmatic fix.”
Council deputy leader Ellen Morton said: “I have visited Ulva and I am confident and comfortable that the parents will provide an appropriate school meal for their children. Because I know the schools I’m not as concerned as I might otherwise be.”
The council’s total estimated costs of providing the new free school meals in all of its schools is £321,102 for from January to March and £744,423 in 2015-16. This results in a shortfall of £57,100 in 2014-15 and a surplus of £118,577 in 2015-16 going by the government’s funding allocation.